Who doesn’t have friends starting businesses nowadays? That almost completely invalidates what I’m about to tell you but I am going to tell you anyways.
My friend Kevin started a record label called Lemondrop Records. As the music industry is aching through a wicked growth-spurt right now record labels are hurting the most. Kevin decided to take a different route. Lemondrop has “emerged from the capitalistic rubble as an all-art-inclusive non-profit organization” whose mission is to nurture local creative culture by promoting artists, enabling their art, and facilitating compensation for their work.
I think it is brilliant.
Lemondrop provides access to equipment, funding, and assistance in producing their creative work in an industry where that kind of thing costs your next three records and all of their earnings. They will help create a community around your work through traditional marketing and by embracing the “pay what you want” pricing model. Believe it or not, consumers are loyal – look at Radiohead‘s In Rainbows.
Kevin keeps a blog about new music, movies and art called The Pelicans Perch. I have been following this blog for years to get all of my tips on emerging culture and its gems. In fact, most of my iTunes library is comprised of Kevin’s recommendations.
The point of this post is threefold:
- My friend Kevin has created a new model for record labels — one that might just work.
- The music industry is siding with the artist (finally).
- Follow Kevin’s blog for your own good.
Your story:
Everywhere I look I see another story of someone keeping music afloat and sinking the big industry ships. These are exciting times and I want to hear more. Tell me about how you or your friends are working for the cause of art. Comment below.
